Rain washes out Sri Lanka-New Zealand CWC25 clash
After Sri Lanka posted 258/6, persistent rain delayed the start of New Zealand’s innings before officials called the game off in Colombo.
NEW ZEALAND v SRI LANKA, SCORECARD
Rain played spoilsport as Sri Lanka's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 game against New Zealand was called off at the R Premadasa International Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday.
After posting a competitive total of 258/6, Sri Lanka appeared well placed to challenge the White Ferns, thanks to a strong finish to their innings.
However, persistent rain delayed the start of New Zealand’s chase before officials eventually decided to call the game off with both teams settling for a point each.
Sri Lanka's batting display marred by rain | Match Highlights | CWC25
Hosts Sri Lanka put on a powerful batting display in Colombo before rain led to a washout against New Zealand at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 in Colombo.
The result leaves Sri Lanka with two points from four matches, both coming from washouts. They are still searching for their first win of the tournament and it was a disappointing outcome for Chamari Athapaththu’s side, who looked in control for much of the contest and had a genuine chance of securing a breakthrough victory.
Meanwhile, New Zealand moved to three points from four games, having managed just one win so far.
In the first innings, Sri Lanka put up a strong batting display to post 258/6, led by a fiery fifty from Nilakshika Silva. Her late burst powered the side to a competitive total after a strong start and a few hiccups in the middle overs. Silva's unbeaten blitz of 28-ball-55 saw the fastest fifty at the ongoing Cricket World Cup (26 balls).
For New Zealand, skipper Sophie Devine (3/54) was the standout performer with the ball while Bree Illing (2/39) also lended support from her end.
Broadcast Details for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup
Nilakshika Silva's blistering knock | Player Highlights | CWC25
Nilakshika Silva notched the fastest half-century at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 against New Zealand.
Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu had won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to make the most of good batting conditions.
The opening pair of Chamari Athapaththu (53) and Vishmi Gunarathne (42) gave Sri Lanka a solid foundation with a 101-run partnership - the first 100 plus opening stand of the tournament. Athapaththu looked fluent from the start while Gunaratne took her time to settle in before finding her rhythm in the middle.
Athapaththu gives Sri Lanka a solid start | CWC25
Captain Chamari Athapaththu has boundaries flowing off her bat against New Zealand in Colombo at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.
The opening stand ensured Sri Lanka had the upper hand early on before Sophie Devine broke the stand.
Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera also forged a valuable partnership after both the opening batters were back in the hut. Rotating the strike well and keeping the scoreboard ticking, the duo added 58 runs for the third wicket before New Zealand notched three dismissals in quick succession.
As the innings entered its final phase, it was Nilakshika Silva who took the charge with the bat. Walking in with just over 10 overs remaining, the 36-year-old played with intent in an innings composed of seven fours and a six.
She raced to a half-century off just 26 balls, changing the tempo of the innings, adding valuable runs in the death overs.
Sri Lanka's haul from the final 10 overs saw them amass 80 runs, including 47 in the last five, thanks largely to Silva’s brilliance who struck seven boundaries and a six. However, the home team's batting efforts were marred by persistent showers, forcing the two sides to share a point each.
